Photos: Hundreds 'Choose Respect' in Anchorage march

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Crow Creek Pipes and Drums kicked off Anchorage's Choose Respect march. More than 150 communities across the state held marches in support of Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell's Choose Respect campaign. March 27, 2014

On Thursday, in marches in more than 170 communities across Alaska, people took a stand against the state's epidemic of domestic violence, sexual assault and child sexual abuse. The marches are the centerpiece of the state's Choose Respect campaign, a social awareness movement designed to get people engaged in making a difference in their home communities.

Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell announced the effort in 2009. Eighteen communities took part in that year's inaugural march.

"We have witnessed more and more Alaskans finding the courage to speak and the strength to act," Parnell said through an open letter published on the state's Choose Respect website in advance of the March 27 rally date. "Let's take back some ground for safer homes and stronger families."

About 200 people showed up Thursday for the Anchorage march at the Delaney Park Strip. Catholic Archbishop Roger Schwietz, who was among the speakers at the event, apologized, saying he was ashamed by past church abuses.

The Parnell administration has called the marches and the other components of the Choose Respect Initiative "a vital part of changing the social norms that condone violence."

For many, this single day of solidarity has come to mean more than simply standing together. It has developed into a call for action.

"Awareness is not enough. We are all aware. Awareness hasn't done anything to reduce the violence. We need action," said Melissa Emmal, deputy director of Abused Women's Aid in Crisis Inc., a women's shelter that also promotes intervention.

The marches coincide with the start of Sexual Assault Awareness Month in April. Upcoming events tackling this topic and other aspects of violence in Alaska include:

• Ryan Harrod presents "Violence against Women: Towards a New Understanding," Monday, March 31, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., UAA Bookstore. Harrod, an assistant professor In UAA's anthropology department, talks about what archaeological findings teach us about social inequality and violence.

• GreenDot Anchorage, Tuesday, April 1, 8 p.m., Humpy's Ale House. Learn how to stand up to those who choose to use violence.

• Sexual Assault Awareness Month kickoff celebration and prevention fair, Friday, April 4, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., BP Energy Center. Sponsored by Standing Together Against Rape.

• Trusted Adult Superhero Day, Friday, April 11. Wear a cape to work, to school, running errands, to signal to kids you're someone in the community a kid can turn to for help. Sponsored by STAR.

• International Denim Day, Thursday, April 24. Wear denim in a show of protest against violence and in support of survivors. Sponsored by STAR.

• Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, Saturday, April 26, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., University Center. This is an international men's march to stop rape, sexual assault, and gender violence. Sponsored by STAR.